Ju 88A-15 with enlarged wooden bomb bay
The Ju 88A-15 was an experimental variant of the Ju 88 bomber designed to carry an increased bomb load by modifying the bomb bay. Only one specimen of this variant was built, making it a unique version within the Ju 88 series.
Key Features and Modifications:
Increased Bomb Bay:
- The primary modification in the Ju 88A-15 was the enlargement of the bomb bay, which was constructed out of wood. This allowed the aircraft to carry a significantly larger bomb load compared to the standard Ju 88 models. The planned bomb load capacity for the A-15 was 3,000 kg.
Crew Reduction:
- To accommodate the changes and possibly reduce weight, the crew was reduced to three men. This was fewer than the typical four-man crew found in other Ju 88 variants.
Omission of Ventral Cupola:
- The Ju 88A-15 did not have the ventral cupola, a feature that was present in many other Ju 88 variants for housing additional defensive armament or other equipment.
Armament:
- Defensive armament was minimal, with only two MG 15 machine guns installed. This reduced defensive capability reflects the design focus on maximizing bomb-carrying capacity rather than engaging in defensive combat.
Prototype Status:
- Only one prototype of the Ju 88A-15 was built, designated by its Werknummer (W. Nr.) 140561 and coded SI+FC. It was based on the Ju 88A-4 model, but the unique modifications distinguished it from other aircraft in the series.